Hope for Andy: Support His Battle Against Cancer!

March 2025 UPDATE:

Hello, loved ones! A brief update on my cancer journey.

First, a note to the anonymous donors who have contributed to this GoFundMe page:

Dear Anonymous Friend & Donor,

Words cannot express my sincere gratitude for your incredible generosity and support. Although you may be unknown to me, our Heavenly Father knows you by name and how you have blessed me. Your generous donation to my GoFundMe campaign has brought an overwhelming sense of relief during my cancer journey. Your kindness has deeply touched my family, and we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬

With heartfelt appreciation, Andy and Teresa

Now back to my update…

The past three months have been filled with surprise visits from my high school buddies, rides with friends to chemo treatments, a yard clean-up day, and a trip to NRB in Grapevine, TX!

Medical Update

I have completed four rounds of chemo infusion with minimal side effects; however, nausea lingers three to four days after each treatment. I have noticed that the chemo tends to drain my energy as each round has a cumulative effect. Two more rounds to go! My doctors requested a PET scan and an MRI to see how my spine is healing and responding to my infusions. I’ll give another update soon. Please continue to pray for my body to gain strength, ability, and stamina.

Photo: Raina at the hospital with me.

Encouraging Pranksters

I told myself I would never fall for a prank if my friends tried to surprise me dressed up as construction workers or technicians. That is exactly what happened to me when my high school friends Rich and Shain appeared as Erie Insurance auditors to inspect my kitchen. Teresa was also part of the escapade. I was so focused on an online class that I waved these loud yet suspicious untimely visitors dressed in blue overalls, gold chains, hats, and sunglasses. They were in character for 5 minutes until I recognized them. Well played, fellas.

Photo: Pranked by Rich and Shain

Spiritual Journey

Looking back at the past 4 months, I've been navigating a health journey that took an unexpected turn with a diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Reflecting on this time, I'm finding strength in my faith and the incredible support surrounding me. I'm deeply moved by the outpouring of love and encouragement from family, friends, and my church community. The prayers and words of comfort have been a constant source of peace. I'm choosing to trust in God's plan and find solace in scriptures like Psalm 23 and Isaiah 41:10. Your prayers for strength and healing are greatly appreciated as I continue on this path.

Love in Christ with heartfelt appreciation,

Andy and Teresa

Photo: Chip and Andy at NRB Dallas 2025

Photo: Stream Station Booth Remote Video Podcast System

Photo: Yard Clean-Up Day with Friends

______________________

ANDY'S STORY

In the Summer of 2024, Andy started experiencing back pain. Initially, he chalked it up to a muscle pull from one too many softball games from more than 20 years of playing on community teams. As the summer went on, his pain worsened, and finally, in September, he went to see an orthopedic doctor who prescribed physical therapy (although his doctor was unsure of his pain’s root cause). The pain increased to the point that Andy could barely sit, stand, or lie down without experiencing extreme pain. Meanwhile, his doctor continued to prescribe steroids so Andy could function.

On October 16, Andy went back to the Orthopedic doctor. His doctor ordered an x-ray, saw Andy had a compressed disc, and ordered an MRI to investigate further. The next day, Andy and his wife, Teresa, flew to Colorado for their 25th wedding anniversary trip, which was combined with work meetings for Teresa. While they were in Colorado, Andy's legs started giving out. He never fell over but was very unsteady. Andy thought he was experiencing side effects from a new pain medicine prescribed to him before the trip or possibly even altitude sickness.

On November 8, Andy’s MRI was approved and scheduled for November 18. He had the MRI, and that same day, the doctor called Andy and told him that he had a lesion on his spine and needed to check into the hospital immediately. That night, Teresa took Andy to the ER. Andy had multiple MRIs and CT scans throughout the night, and the next day, he was put in a room on the cancer floor. The shocking news, being told to go to the ER immediately, the flurry of testing, and being placed on the cancer floor was overwhelming since no medical professionals had communicated to Andy and Teresa that he might have cancer. On Nov. 20, a specialized medical team was brought in to oversee Andy’s case. They told him he had an oncological emergency that needed to be addressed immediately. The doctors needed to remove the tumor to take the pressure off of his spinal cord. They said that if it wasn’t removed as soon as possible, within weeks/months, he could be paralyzed from the waist down. Several oncologists told Andy and Teresa that they were certain this tumor was cancerous as they tried to figure out how widespread his cancer was and what type he had. The following day, Andy underwent back surgery to remove the tumor.

After the surgery and another PET scan, Andy was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma, with the cancer being isolated to his spine and bone marrow. He now begins his chemotherapy journey for the next six months (photo: Andy gives a thumbs up to his first chemo treatment).

Andy and Teresa are incredibly grateful for the amazing team that God assembled, consisting of neurosurgeons, oncologists, and nurses who have been part of the medical journey. Their skill and dedication mean everything to them. The Caldwells have also seen Christ’s love demonstrated through the provision of meals, fervent prayer, and pop-in visits by their Christ Covenant Church family, friends in the community, and even other churches in the Charlotte area!

Andy and Teresa have been married for 25 years and have three grown children (two of whom are still in college). In addition, Andy works as a video producer concentrating in live events and broadcast technology. Therefore, while he receives treatment, his ability to work is limited. The co-pays for his medical treatments will be quite significant, plus because he is self-employed, he will have a loss of work as he is treated for this cancer. This fundraiser covers at least $25,000 of medical co-pays and funds for Andy's loss of work while he is in treatment. Your support makes a real, significant difference by helping Andy focus on battling the cancer and regaining his health. Every donation, big or small, brings us closer to giving Andy the strength and resources he needs to overcome this battle.

Like many people, Andy and Teresa are battling cancer, and each story, like theirs, is a very real story of a family facing an enormous challenge. Andy and Teresa continue to trust in God in this season of their lives. Thank you for standing with Andy and Teresa through your care, prayers, practical help, and financial donations during this difficult time. Andy has been holding fast to Psalm 23:6, “Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

(All funds raised go directly to Andy and Teresa Caldwell.)